INTEGRITY MONTH: DAY 15: “Above the policies, above the law, above the government, above the constitution, there is a higher principle, that is the principle of individual integrity, without which no matter how much policies and laws we create, we cannot ensure health, safety and sanity in the society.”― Abhijit Naskar
This is a great time to see who people truly are…deep down. We see those who have respect and practice their integrity by doing what is being asked of them without a great deal of whining and self-pity or self-interest.
Then we see those who have flaunted their ability to disregard the new rules and paradigms being asked of them in the interest of Self only. They are selfishly entitled to do whatever they want, stating that they “don’t believe” in the risk, blah, blah, blah. They believe the social structures being asked of them are over-controlling and have a lot of reasons why they are exempt from protocols, whatever is being suggested to keep others safe.
Bottom line is the same social structures we see in addiction and which are universally recognized as self-serving and selfish are justified and defended. The exact same arguments and defensive stances are rampant.
“I am only hurting myself….My behavior has nothing to do with anyone else…I am not doing anything to you…It is my business to do what I want…These rules don’t apply to ME…They are stupid rules anyway…I can do whatever I want, it is a free country…No one can tell me what to do…ad infinitum.” Ego defenses are all the same, no matter the circumstances.
I know who people are by what they show me. I don’t listen to a great deal of their talk. It doesn’t matter. Excuses are excuses. We all have them; we all know what they are. They are going to make us different, unique, apart from others, and so on. And that is always the handiwork of Ego.
No amount of censure is going to make anyone do the right thing if they decide not to do it. We all know that from our own stories. How we go from there is our own life to manifest…our own karma if you will. I don’t think I am here to police the world. I just have to police my own behaviors and attitudes. But it is interesting to watch others sometimes.
Dolphin Hug 